Robinson to make plea not to ‘gift wrap seats’ to Sinn Fein and Alliance | Belfast Telegraph

DUP leader Gavin Robinson will use his party conference to urge unionist voters not to “gift wrap seats” to Sinn Féin, the SDLP, or Alliance, and to push for closer unionist cooperation to maximize pro-union seats in the Assembly and local councils ahead of next year’s elections. He will also address immigration concerns, arguing for a controlled system that serves local residents and public services.

Robinson to make plea not to ‘gift wrap seats’ to Sinn Fein and Alliance | Belfast Telegraph # Robinson to make plea not to ‘gift wrap seats’ to Sinn Fein and Alliance Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson (Liam McBurney/PA) By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association 19 Sep 2026 12:01 AM DUP leader Gavin Robinson will use his party conference speech to appeal to unionist voters not to “gift wrap seats” to Sinn Féin and Alliance. Mr Robinson will address the conference, his third as leader, on Saturday afternoon. It will be the last DUP conference before elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly take place next year. Mr Robinson will call for renewed engagement between unionist parties and practical co-operation ahead of May’s elections. He is expected to say: “As the lead unionist party, the DUP will not be found wanting when it comes to cooperation to maximise the pro-union vote. “For my part, I am committed to working constructively and engaging again with other unionist parties, as we have before, to secure the election of the largest possible number of pro-union candidates to the Assembly and our councils. “Working together, we are stronger.” He will tell the conference that closer unionist co-operation can “secure sensible outcomes”. He is expected to say: “We can collectively encourage voters to give their preference votes to pro-union candidates and ensure that constituencies and electoral areas are not flooded with candidates from unionist parties. “I am not asking anyone to give up what they believe. “I am asking that, collectively, we do…

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